CA scope of practice bill moves to Appropriations Committee

Sacramento, CA-California’s SB 492 last week unanimously passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee. This bill, along with companion bills SB 491 and SB 493, next move to the Appropriations Committee.

SB 491-493 proposes to expand the scope of practice for non-physicians in anticipation of a healthcare provider shortage after the Affordable Care Act provides healthcare coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. These bills would designate optometrists as primary-care providers to diagnose and treat patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, allow nurse practitioners to establish independent practices, and designate pharmacists as primary-care providers. The bills were proposed by California Senator Ed Hernandez, OD.